Foreign Nationals Arrested in Venezuela for Alleged Assassination Plot Against Maduro
In a high-stakes political drama, Venezuelan officials announced the arrest of six foreign nationals, accusing them of plotting to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro. Among those detained were three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech citizen. The arrests were revealed by Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s influential interior minister, on state television. According to Cabello, the individuals were part of a CIA-led operation aimed at overthrowing the Venezuelan government and eliminating key figures within its leadership.
The Alleged Plot Uncovered
During the televised announcement, Cabello displayed images of rifles allegedly seized from some of the suspects, adding to the gravity of the accusations. He named one of the American detainees as Wilbert Joseph Castañeda Gomez, a U.S. Navy SEAL veteran with experience in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Colombia. The identities of the other foreign nationals have not yet been confirmed. While Venezuela’s government has doubled down on its accusations of foreign interference, Spain’s embassy in Caracas has yet to comment on the arrests of its citizens.
The U.S. State Department, in a statement late Saturday, confirmed the detention of a U.S. military member. It firmly rejected the claims of U.S. involvement in any plot against Maduro, reaffirming its position: “Any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false. The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.”
Rising Tensions After Sanctions and Election Fallout
The arrests come amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and several countries following the disputed Venezuelan presidential election on July 28. Just two days before the arrests, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned 16 of Maduro’s allies, accusing them of obstructing the election process and perpetrating human rights abuses.
The election, marred by controversy, has been widely condemned. Spain’s parliament declared Venezuela’s opposition leader, Edmundo Gonzalez, the winner, which enraged Maduro’s administration. The Venezuelan government retaliated by calling for a suspension of diplomatic and commercial relations with Spain.
Despite Venezuela’s Electoral Council’s claim that Maduro won with 52% of the vote, opposition activists provided evidence that Gonzalez secured twice as many votes. The opposition published tally sheets from 80% of the nation’s voting machines online, contradicting official results. Yet, Venezuela’s Supreme Court, which has consistently sided with Maduro, confirmed his victory, prompting widespread protests and mass arrests of opposition supporters.
International Pressure and Maduro’s Response
Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, has repeatedly accused the U.S. and its allies of attempting to undermine his regime through sanctions and covert actions. The latest arrests have only intensified the atmosphere of suspicion between Venezuela and the U.S.
The Venezuelan government has a history of using detained Americans as bargaining chips. Last year, in a high-profile deal with the Biden administration, 10 Americans and a fugitive were released in exchange for a pardon for Alex Saab, a close Maduro ally. Saab, who was held in the U.S. on money laundering charges, was alleged to have assisted Maduro in evading U.S. sanctions through an intricate web of shell companies.
As the political crisis in Venezuela deepens, international pressure continues to mount on Maduro’s government to ensure transparency and uphold democratic principles. However, with the latest accusations of foreign assassination plots and contested elections, Venezuela’s future remains shrouded in uncertainty.